Registration for this event is now closed. However, space is still available at the February 23 event with James Thindwa. Click here for details and event registration info.

The Public Square and Chicago Public Radio invite you to a special Café Society discussion…

How are charter schools and Renaissance 2010 helping or hurting Chicago’s youth? Are school closures directly linked to youth violence?  Should teachers working in charter schools form unions?

Join us for a lively discussion that examines these questions and explore ways that school reform is affecting the quality of education and community connectedness for the city’s youth. Special guest Marvin Hoffman, Associate Director of the Urban Teacher Education Program at the University of Chicago, will help kick-off this community dialogue.

Read the complete topic write-up here.

More about Marvin Hoffman  

Marvin Hoffman is the associate director of the Urban Teacher Education Program (UTEP) and often serves as a UTEP course instructor and field supervisor. He leads the program’s Academic and Soul Strands of the Foundations of Education Sequence. Hoffman was also the founding director of The University of Chicago Charter School North Kenwood/Oakland campus. Hoffman boasts an extensive teaching career that spans over forty years and encompasses pre-school through graduate school instruction. Prior to teaching in Chicago, Hoffman taught in numerous states, including Mississippi, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Texas. He is the author of three books: Vermont Diary, Chasing Hellhounds: A Teacher Learns from his Students and You Won’t Remember Me: The Schoolboys of Barbiana Speak to Today. Hoffman received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Harvard University.

This program is free and open to the public. Reservations are required and can be made online, at events@prairie.org, or by calling 312.422.5580.

This event is presented by The Public Square and Chicago Public Radio-WBEZ 91.5FM.

For more information, call 312.422.5580.